I ignore fines like taxis ignores rules

People’s views on the lawlessness of taxis are very interesting.

I have a friend – let’s call her Mandy for the sake of this column and to protect her identity – who blatantly disregards speeding fines and refuses to pay them. Whenever we travel together – she usually drives – she is always on edge specially when she sees traffic cops next to the road.

This piqued my curiosity and I asked her why she was so worried. She said although not paying speeding fines is a matter of principle, she is aware that speeding is against the law and she can be arrested for violating the law.

This is her explanation for not paying her speeding fines:

Most of the time Mandy drives within the speed limit, but it has happened that she gets a little distracted and slightly go over. Afterwards she usually receives a surprise in the mail. “I don’t over-speed, I never have and I doubt if I ever will. What infuriates me is seeing taxis driving as if they own the road. We all know taxis are a law unto themselves, that is common knowledge but just this morning, I saw taxis disregard basic rules such as stopping at a red traffic light and continue to drive across the road, disrupting the normal flow of traffic.

“My question is, where are the traffic cops? Isn’t that more dangerous than driving a mere five kilometres faster than what you are supposed to?

“I am a good driver because I spend most of my time in my car. I know the rules of the road, of which taxis seem to disregard every single one just to make sure they arrive at their destination two minutes earlier.”

Mandy said she feels fining people for going slightly over the speed limit is easy money, easier than getting taxi drivers to adhere to the rules of the road. “As long as the traffic department ignores them and allows them to continue to be a menace and a danger on the road, I will not pay my traffic fines.”

Will she ever go to jail to get her message across? “No, I don’t think it will go that far. Most officials are incompetent. The traffic department doesn’t have the resources to look for the millions of ‘rule breakers’ and arrest them.”

Although I understand her reasoning, I am not sure if I agree with it. What do you think?
Let us know.